Jaime Octavio García Reyes, a farmer from the municipality of Martí in Matanzas, was recently detained while transporting animal feed and construction materials. After being accused on social media by a regime-supporting profile, García defended himself and highlighted the police's unjust treatment.
The Facebook profile "Con Todos La Victoria," linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), reported that authorities in Martí found García transporting six rolls of fencing, 19 pipes, and 10 sacks of feed in a truck without the necessary documentation. They suggested he might face legal consequences for alleged criminal activities related to these materials.
However, García Reyes took to the comments section of the post the next day to refute the claims, asserting the legitimacy of the transported items. He insisted that both the feed and materials had a lawful origin and that he possessed the appropriate paperwork: "The fences are from my farm, and the feed has its invoice," he stated.
García explained that despite presenting evidence supporting the legality of the goods, the authorities unjustly detained him: "I provided them with proof, invoices, and videos of my farm with my animals," he noted, emphasizing that the documents confirmed the ownership of the materials and feed.
He also recounted the necessity of relocating all items related to his farm due to repeated thefts: "I was robbed three times, and each time I filed a report, but the police in Colón never did anything," he lamented. Despite identifying the robbers, no action was taken by the authorities.
García Reyes further described the harsh conditions he faced following his arrest: "They detained me in Martí, threw me in a cell without food, without anything to cover myself, and wouldn't allow me to contact anyone," he recounted, expressing his dissatisfaction with the treatment he received.
He ultimately expressed gratitude to his family, who intervened to alter his detention status: "Thank God and my family, who fought to change the measure, because they wanted to imprison me," he wrote. However, he remains concerned about his current situation: "The thieves robbed me, and now the police want to take my feed," he concluded with frustration.
This response from García Reyes not only underscores his defense against the accusations but also highlights his frustration with the lack of police action regarding the thefts that have impacted his life as a farmer. Cuban farmers often face relentless theft, regime indifference, and, in many instances, abuse of power by law enforcement.
A Cuban farmer has voiced concerns about the poor working conditions in agriculture, characterized by resource scarcity and exploitation by leaders who he criticized for living "on lies." "Here, the bosses only feed us lies and watch our production to ensure they keep a constant eye on us," the farmer shared with the independent outlet ADN Cuba.
In October, the confiscation of several trucks loaded with food belonging to farmers in Santiago de Cuba sparked a wave of outrage on social media. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported the incident via his Facebook profile, noting that the police seized the goods in an area known as "El Fuego."
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Cuban Farmers
What accusations were made against Jaime Octavio García Reyes?
García Reyes was accused of transporting construction materials and animal feed without proper documentation, which authorities claimed could be linked to criminal activities.
How did García Reyes defend himself?
He provided evidence such as invoices and videos demonstrating the legal origin of the items he was transporting, asserting that they were rightfully his property.
What challenges do Cuban farmers commonly face?
Cuban farmers often deal with theft, government indifference, and police abuse. They struggle with resource shortages and exploitation by leaders who monitor their production closely.